After Maduro arrest, Zelenskyy suggests US ‘knows what to do next’

Zelenskyy hints at action against Putin

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to take a veiled swipe at Russian President Vladimir Putin following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US forces, suggesting that Washington could apply the same approach to other authoritarian leaders.

“If it’s possible to deal with dictators this way, then the US knows what to do next,” Zelenskyy said, in comments widely interpreted as a reference to Putin and Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s remarks followed a dramatic overnight US operation in Venezuela, during which American forces seized Maduro and flew him out of the country, according to US officials.

Russia, one of Maduro’s key allies, condemned the move and demanded the immediate release of the Venezuelan leader and his wife, Celia Flores.

“In view of the confirmed reports about Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse being in the United States, we strongly urge the US leadership to reconsider their position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his spouse,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “We highlight the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between the United States and Venezuela through dialogue.”

According to the New York Post, Maduro and Flores arrived in New York City late on Saturday to face federal narco-terrorism charges. US President Donald Trump said the couple would face the “full wrath of American justice”.

The New York Post, citing sources, reported that Maduro and Flores will be held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and are expected to appear in federal court on Monday.

Zelenskyy’s comments also come amid renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine. In recent remarks, the Ukrainian leader said his country was “10 per cent” away from reaching a deal to end the conflict with Russia, but cautioned that the remaining issues would be decisive in determining whether peace could be achieved.

He warned that while Kyiv wants an end to the war, any agreement must be backed by strong security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression.